Democrats unite around Harris

US VP praises ‘unmatched’ Biden legacy in modern history

WASHINGTON:

Democrats rapidly coalesced around Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday as she raced to secure the party’s nomination to take on Donald Trump in November, in the wake of President Joe Biden’s sensational exit from the race.

Armed with Biden’s endorsement, the 59-year-old won the backing of a flood of Democratic leaders on her first full day of campaigning. Ahead of a first trip to campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, later Monday, Harris presided over a White House celebration for championship college basketball teams.

She praised Biden as leaving a legacy “unmatched in modern history.” She did not reference her own sudden elevation to presidential candidate in the brief remarks. But the symbolism of the current vice president having the White House to herself in the absence of Biden, who is nursing a Covid infection at his Delaware beach house, was striking.

Earlier, a slew of heavyweight governors, including leaders once seen as potential hopefuls for the party’s presidential nomination, added their backing.

Harris won the crucial backing of Democratic heavyweight Nancy Pelosi to lead the party against Donald Trump in November after Joe Biden’s stunning exit from the 2024 race.

But while she steered away from any triumphalism, Harris will now feel she has one hand on the prize after securing the support of Pelosi, the former US House speaker and a prime mover in moves to oust the 81-year-old Biden. “With immense pride and limitless optimism for our country’s future, I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States,” Pelosi, 84, said in a message on X. “I have full confidence that she will lead us to victory in November.”

“Let’s win this,” posted Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, announcing her support in tandem with the governors of Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, also declared his support, making him one of the favorites to be picked as Harris’s vice presidential running mate. Harris must still win over some key hold-outs if she is to wrap up the nomination, which could happen as early as August 1, although some Democrats are still calling for the party to show transparency with an open primary.